Kawartha lakes - Definition and Overview

This article discusses the geographic region. For the municipality of Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, see its article.

The Kawartha lakes are a band of lakes in south-central Ontario, Canada. They generally include the lakes north of Lake Ontario and east of Lake Simcoe, about as far as Belleville. "Kawartha" means "shining waters" in the Ojibwe language.

Though the city of Kawartha Lakes is named for them, they continue east into Peterborough County and some ways beyond. The Trent-Severn Waterway makes its way through many lakes in the main chain; many cottages dot the lakes' shorelines, and the region is popular for its tourism.

Lakes considered to be among 'the Kawarthas' include:

• Balsam Lake
• Sturgeon Lake
• Pigeon Lake
• Buckhorn Lake
• Chemong Lake
• Stony Lake
• Clear Lake
• Katchewanooka Lake
• Rice Lake

Lake Scugog is to the southwest of the main chain; the system of Catchacoma Lake, Mississauga Lake, Gold Lake and Anstruther Lake (the "Kawartha Highlands") lies to the northeast. Whether these lakes are 'Kawarthas' is a matter of some debate.

Example Usage of Kawartha